This series consists of two CD-Rs, which contain Series 1 and much of Series 1-5, respectively, with some additional material. The total number of items is 512.

The Julius Schloss Collection consists of Julius Schloss’s complete portfolio of published and unpublished compositions, sketches, studies and analyses. In addition, it contains documentary artefacts, including correspondence, newspaper, magazine and journal clippings, concert and competition programs, media reviews, and photographs, that chronicle both the early life of this German-Jewish composer in Europe and his later days in exile in Shanghai and the United States.
The content of the collection pertains to several lines of historical research: First, Schloss’s close relationship with Alban Berg as a personal assistant and chief copy editor, as well as his interaction with other contemporaries in Vienna during the 1920s, may offer new insight in studies of the Second Viennese School. The items of Bergiana, including a handwritten Baudelaire poem by Berg which served as a “secret program” to the Lyric Suite and a selection of correspondence surrounding Berg’s last wishes for the Lyric Suite score, are particularly valuable. Second, Schloss’s ten-year exile in Shanghai, documented in assorted correspondence, programs, reviews and miscellaneous artefacts, may provide a new account of the Shanghai generation. Finally, the continuation of Schloss’s life in the United States as a struggling composer and teacher bears witness to the difficult conditions for the American émigré population after World War II.

The Correspondence Series contains letters to or by Julius Schloss to the listed individual, except where noted. Additional correspondence pertaining to other series in the collection is listed below as well.

The Clippings Series contains articles and clippings from newspapers, magazines and journals that pertain to people, music, and specific periods of Schloss’s life. Items are arranged topically.

The Studies & Analyses Series contains Schloss’s academic work from his studies at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt and under Alban Berg, as well as his analyses of works by other composers. Listed items are grouped by genre: academic studies, analyses of works by other composers, studies of unknown works, transcriptions of melodies, and sketches.

The Compositions Series contains Schloss’s 29 completed compositions and arrangements and 6 unfinished works. The works are arranged alphabetically by uniform title. Composition dates, durations and instrumentation are provided when possible. Instrumentation for large ensemble works is listed according to the schema [Fl Cl Ob Bs – Hn Tp Tb Tu – Perc – Str] with supplementary instruments listed.

The Concerts & Competitions Series contains programs, correspondence and reviews for performances of Schloss’s compositions. Items are arranged by date of event.

The Charles Reiner Collection consists of correspondence, newspaper reviews and clippings, performance programmes, personal documents including legal material, photographs, writings, published and unpublished music by Reiner and other composers, audio and visual recordings of Reiner and other performers, books, and awards. Of particular interest is correspondence from Rudolf Serkin, Alfred Cortot, and Kurt Waldheim; legal documents from both before and after Reiner’s immigration to Canada; and the extensive collection of programmes and newspaper clippings that document Reiner’s extensive performance career.

The Concert Programmes series contains programmes of concerts performed and/or attended by Donald Mackey. The series is organized chronologically, by subject as indicated.

The Donald Mackey Collection consists of the Donald Mackey and Renaissance Singers of Montreal complete portfolio of CBC broadcast programmes and scripts. In addition, the fond contains documentary artifacts including correspondence, concert programmes, photographs, audio recordings and special projects that chronicle Mackey’s career as conductor of the Renaissance Singers of Montreal and his life in Montreal. This includes information about his professorship at the faculty of music of McGill University, his active involvement in Montreal’s vibrant church music scene as organist and conductor, his appointment as University Organist Emeritus, etc.